Oh, dear. I don't like hypothetical questions.

Well, I don't think you're gonna like the real one either.

Do you have the papers?

Not yet.

This is a devastating security breach

that was leaked out of the Pentagon.

The most highly classified documents of the war.

The Time says 7,000 pages,

detailing how the White House has been lying about the Vietnam War for 30 years.

The way they lied ...

Those days have to be over.

Kay, people are concerned about having a woman in charge of the paper.

That she doesn't have the resolve to make the tough choices.

Thank you, Arthur, for your frankness.

Let's do our jobs.

Find those pages.

We're talking about exposing years of government secrets.

Is that legal?

What is it you think we do here for a living, kid?

Ben, I might have something.

It must be precious cargo.

It's just government secrets.

The New York Times was barred publishing any more classified documents dealing with the Vietnam War.

If you'd publish,

we'll be at the Supreme Court next week.

Meaning?

Well, we could all go to prison.

To make this decision ...

To risk her fortune

and the company that's been her entire life ...

Well, I think that's brave.

If the government wins, the Washington Post will cease to exist.

If we don't hold them accountable, who will?

We can't hold them accountable if we don't have a newspaper.

Nixon will muster the full power of the presidency, and if there's a way to destroy you ...

By God, he'll find it.

I'm asking your advice, Bob, not your permission.

She can't do this.

The legacy of the company is at stake.

What will happen, if we don't publish?

We will lose. The country will lose.

What are you going to do, Mrs. Graham?